DIY Project Idea: Painted Black & White Striped Walls

Here’s a fun way to get a little zip in your life — why not paint stripes in your home office?

Architecturally, this was once a big closet. And though there’s a skylight above, the room has no window on the world to speak of, so this is a perfect opportunity for some uplift in the decorating department.

By adding stripes here, we’re making this space special in a private way, like opening a small jewel box. Colorwise, I tend to think the higher the contrast, the more of a statement one makes. And it’s also elegant: Paris salon as opposed to Nautica.

Though I think of this project as black and white, it’s actually off-black and off-white — inky, bluish Evening Dove over creamy White Dove, no coincidence intended. I’m less-is-more in terms of color, and if we had used maroon instead this would have looked much more collegiate.

These are hand-painted, without tape. Draw four-inch stripes in light colored pencil, and start from the center for an even repeat. Use Aura Matte to get one-coat coverage. Two people could do this in a short day, or one on a breezy weekend.

Products used:
Benjamin Moore White Dove, Evening Dove 2128-30